Marko and IV have become unlikely allies, united against a common enemy, along with Ghus and Yuma, but have so far been unsuccessful in their mission and are struggling more and more each day to get along even moderately well. Meanwhile, Gwen, Sophie, and The Brand are working on obtaining what they need to cure The Will, and Alana, Kiara, and Hazel are fighting against enemies of their own.

So, if you’ve been reading all my reviews for the Saga series, then you already know that I love Marko (because who doesn’t) and that I kind of love The Will even more but in a different way because he’s actually the more interesting character to me.

But I’m also starting to really like Robot IV too. I know, I know, I mentioned his nice body and how great he looks in his uniform in my last review, but just because I like a character’s body, it doesn’t mean I like the character—come on, I have more depth than that ;-) No, see, the thing about IV is, he’s kind of a terrible person (well, robot), but he’s also freaking hilarious. He’s one of those sarcastic, quippy, condescending asshole characters. He really believes he’s surrounded by idiots and is the only sane, intelligent lifeform around most of the time. And we all know those characters are the ones we know we should hate but can’t help but kind of love anyway because don’t we all feel that way sometimes? Regardless, thanks to the way Volume 4 ended *SPOILER ALERT* (with Marko and IV having to team up and work together despite their mutual dislike of each other, to put it nicely) *END SPOILER ALERT*, this volume was IV’s time to shine! *Warning, there be copious amounts of cursing ahead.*

Yuma: “He can’t just murder the man, IV.”

IV: “Then allow me.”

Marko: “I told you when we started this, no killing.”

IV: “And I told you, that’s fucking asinine.”

[After Marko and Yuma take bad acid and are basically unconscious]

Ghus: “What are we gonna do?”

IV: “Blow them both out an airlock, I suppose.”

IV: “These assholes are my own people.”

Marko: “Who just tried to assassinate you!”

IV: “And while I admire your sudden evolution from pansy to warlord, maybe there’s something to be said for retreating to fight another day.”

Marko: “Teleporting without mag fields is suicide!”

IV: “Or homicide if I can take you insufferable losers out with me…”

But the thing is, I also started to sympathize with IV because I realized… is he really the bad guy? I mean, he’s just fighting for his side in the war the same way everyone else is, the same way Marko once did even. Ok, he’s a jerk and doesn’t have as much regard for life as he should, but he loves his wife and kid, he cares about his people, and he’s actually not all bad. And one scene especially made me really want to give the poor guy a hug because I felt so bad for him.

Moving on from Robot IV and his highly entertaining antics, I was actually tempted to rate this volume higher than the others because I found the whole thing to be funnier. Hazel was a little older and therefore talking more, which provided some funny moments. Then there was Ghus, who was funny just by being himself, not because he was trying to be. He was a such a sweetheart and was really the glue of their little misbegotten team. My favorite, however, was when *SPOILER ALERT (won’t spoil the story but will spoil the joke)* the surgeon general told IV that his robot blood would help save Marko and Yuma after they took some bad acid, and Ghus, standing there with his big ax thing and staring right at IV, just responded with, “You don’t say…” as poor IV backed away *END SPOILER ALERT*. But really, look me in the eye and tell me this is not adorable.

I also found this volume to be more emotional than the others. Numerous characters died (I’ll be vague so as not to spoil anything), one of which I really liked and was sad to see go (as well as sad for the character they left behind). Another I didn’t like quite so much, but their last act was a noble one. And yet another character was even willing to sacrifice himself instead which made for even more emotional moment.

Wow, I didn’t plan for this review to be so long! Apparently I’m just getting really into this series, guys. So overall, Volume 5 was a fantastic addition to a series that only seems to be getting better!

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Recommended For:

Fans of Vol. 1-4 in Brian K. Vaughan's Saga series. Graphic novel fans and newbies alike who are looking for something fun and different, who like flawed but lovable characters, and who don't mind images of sex, nudity, and violence.

Multiple storylines collide in this cosmos-spanning new volume. While Gwendolyn and Lying Cat risk everything to find a cure for The Will, Marko makes an uneasy alliance with Prince Robot IV to find their missing children, who are trapped on a strange world with terrifying new enemies.

Obviously I’m missing out on something by not reading any graphic novels. I don’t know how much I’ll enjoy it, but by the sounds of how much you love this series, I’m definitely going to have to give it a try someday! :D

Awesome review. I actually just finished this one up this morning and nearly died knowing it was really over for now. I get what you’re saying about IV, though. This book was really his chance to show us a little more of who he is and what is motivating him and I think that’s making me sympathize with him more (?? whoops). Also… “Numerous characters died” <— the one I think you're talking to was my new fave, and I'm so sad to see them go. Like… It nearly destroyed my life.

Thanks! I’m dying for the next one too! I got to read all the ones so close together that I got spoiled lol. But yes, this book did give us so much more insight into IV than the others, and it makes me very confused how I should feel about him. The character who died though, I’m trying to figure out how to keep this non-spoilery, are you talking about the one who died SUPER suddenly? Because that was the one who made me sad. That character was such a great person!

Same here. I really don’t know how I’m going to hold out until July. This is the problem with picking up on continuing series. I usually don’t bother with them until I know all of the books are out and available for this very reason. I can’t wait to see if he gets even MORE growth in the sixth one. (Really, I just want that book in my hands right now). YES. THAT’S THE ONE. I screamed and threw the book on the floor the minute I saw it. Then, convinced myself there was a chance they were still alive only to relive the moment of truth all over again. Curse Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples for making me fall so in love with every single one of these characters.

Also, Hazel may be the cutest little nub I have ever seen in my entire life.

I did make a rule at some point about not starting any book series until they were finished, but that didn’t last very long lol. There were too many I just wanted tho read, and it’s fun reading things as they come out. Though graphic novels are shorter which makes them even better for binge reading! But yes, I think I kind of double-taked too, unable to believe the character was actually dead! And Hazel is adorable.

I’m not sure if I made it an official rule, but it definitely became a thing I noticed happen (because I am usually so terribly late to all hype parties). It does feel good to anticipate a book’s release, but I just get so antsy waiting to see how everything turns out. Yeah, graphic novels are the best for binge reading… considering I bought and finished the Saga volumes in the span of two weeks. I regret nothing.

You don’t even wanna know how many series I’m in the middle of right now, so I don’t blame you for waiting. But haha, don’t feel bad about the binge reading, especially graphic novels. I read the entire iZombie series in one day lol.

So I still haven’t read Saga… maybe now that I’m done with Alex and Ada I’ll grab these next. An asshole robot sounds fun, and I like shades of grey, when everyone has something they’re fighting for and it’s not just good guy/ bad guy. And funny is good. Looks like a fun binge read.

When you summarize my description to “asshole robot” it just sounds really funny lol. I like gray characters too though, so I think that’s one big thing about the series that’s pulling me in since most of the characters are like that.

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About Me

Hi! I’m Kristen, a twenty-something who loves reading, writing, and rambling. (I also love pomegranates, The Sims, nighttime, circus, and the color red, but that kinda kills the alliteration.)

If you want to know more about me and my blog, here’s my about page. Otherwise, stick around for SFF book/game reviews & recommendations, bookish discussions, author interviews, and more. I look forward to getting to know my fellow readers, gamers, and sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal lovers!